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ITC: Toyo files new complaint regarding tire design patents

On August 14, 2013, Toyo Tire & Rubber Co., Ltd. of Japan filed a new complaint requesting that the ITC commence an investigation pursuant to Section 337. In summary, Toyo alleges 22 proposed Respondents infringe Toyo's design patents with one or more tire models, as follows (see pp. 41-42 of the complaint).

Toyo alleges Respondents' products are for many different types of vehicles and terrain, and Respondents' tires copy unique and innovative tread and side wall designs that Toyo incorporates into its tires. Toyo's design patents at issue are directed to various sidewall and tread designs.

The design patent alleged to be infringed by the most number of models is US D487,424, Fig. 2 of which is reproduced below.

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